Local Schools Respond to Heightened Concerns of Threats

Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]Some area school districts remain on edge following the mass shooting at a Florida High School February 14.

February 15, a Whitney Point student was arrested on a bus but a posting on the school district Facebook page said there was no threat during the school day.

The latest post says District officials have met with local law enforcement to address concerns and there will be a police presence at the district throughout the new week.

The identity of the student arrested has not been released. The arrest incident is being handled by the New York State Police and Broome County District Attorney’s Office.

District officials have also said that an ambulance that had been called to the school on the same day was in response to a separate incident involving a health issue with a student.

Delaware County Sheriff’s officials say they responded to the Downsville Central School at around 7:30 a.m. February 16 as a result of a reported threat of possible future school violence posted on social media by a parent the previous night.

Authorities say, although a 17 year old student made an inappropriate comment during school February 15, there was no violent intent. The district is taking disciplinary action.

Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond has issued a statement directed at students, parents and the community urging suspected threats be reported directly to authorities by calling 911. He said, “Reporting threat information to social media is not a productive means to get any perceived threat immediately addressed…”